Maria Sharapova faces rival Jelena Jankovic on Wednesday in the 2013 French Open quarterfinals.
Sharapova Vs. Jankovic starts at 8 a.m. ET on Wednesday. You can stream it live HERE.
The two women have been rivals since childhood, Sports.co.uk reports. Both were juniors studying under tennis coach Nick Bollettieri ̶ Sharapova was nine-years-old, and Jankovic was 12.
"We played against each other quite a bit in the juniors, all the time. We spent a lot of time together. We were in the same group," Sharapova told reporters. "We were playing matches and tournaments against each other. So we know each other quite well."
Sharapova has gotten the better of Jankovic in their eight professional matches, besting her 7-1. Sharapova is the favorite for Wednesday's quarterfinals. Perhaps most impressive, Sharapova made it this far without losing a single set. Reaching the final will cement her spot as the world's No. 2 ranked tennis player and give her the opportunity to win her second straight French Open title.
The only time Jankovic has beaten her rival was in the 2007 Birmingham final. While Sharapova has won all the other matches between them, nothing is a given ̶ this is their first time playing each other on clay.
"I think the clay really suits her game. I think she's a great retriever," Sharapova said. "She's playing much more consistently I believe than maybe she's done in the last couple of years. She's a tough opponent."
